Sheffield United FA Cup Replay Paper Review

19 November 2014

What the press made of the replay defeat to the Blades

The Sentinel
IT WAS billed by the stadium announcer as ‘the world’s most famous cup competition in the world’s oldest football stadium’.
It would take something live up to that build up, but it certainly exceeded the game at Gresty Road 10 days previous.
Davis – without three of his forward options – handed a first start to 19-year-old Callum Saunders, partnered by 18-year-old George Cooper and Brad Inman.
The two teenagers were heavily involved in the two minute spell which changed the course of the game just prior to the 20 minute mark.

The Chronicle
CREWE Alex bowed out of the FA Cup after coming up short at Bramhall Lane in their first round replay on Tuesday night.
The Railwaymen made a decent fist of their attempt to cause an upset, and went closest through full debut man Callum Saunders and Brad Inman.
But in the end they again lacked the firepower to hurt their hosts, who they have now failed to score against in three games this season.
Crewe are now without a goal in approaching six hours of football, and have managed just one in five games.
Ryan Flynn’s double sent the Blades into a second round tie against Plymouth Argle.

The Sheffield Star
Ryan Flynn’s double sent Sheffield United into the second round of the FA Cup after a comfortable 2-0 victory over Crewe at Bramall Lane in this replay.
Flynn, who had earlier seen goalkeeper Mark Howard at his brilliant best to deny the visitors, opened the scoring in the first half, when tapping home from close range.
His second was more pleasing on the eye and was well received by United boss Nigel Clough, who was growing anxious as his side searched for a killer second to avoid the threat of extra time. The excellent Chris Basham’s through-ball was inch-perfect for Flynn, who help off the challenge of a Crewe defender before finishing confidently.
Earlier, Howard had excelled by first keeping out George Cooper and then Callum Saunders - the son of former Blade striker Dean - when he followed up and shot from close range.